Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Current Convective Watches (View What is a Watch? clip)Updated: Sat May 31 04:05:06 UTC 2025 No watches are currently valid
Archived Convective ProductsTo view convective products for a previous day, type in the date you wish to retrieve (e.g. 20040529 for May 29, 2004). Data available since January 1, 2004.
Source: Toyota
Headline: Taking a Multi-Pathway Approach at Super Taikyu Fuji 24 Hours Race
Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) will enter the ENEOS Super Taikyu Series 2025 Empowered by BRIDGESTONE Round 3 NAPAC Fuji 24 Hours Race, to be held from May 30 to June 1, with the #28 TGRR GR86 Future FR Concept running on low-carbon gasoline (E20) and the #32 TGRR GR Corolla H2 Concept running on liquid hydrogen.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
HONG KONG, May 30 — China looks forward to strengthening communication, collaboration and experience exchange with Switzerland in areas such as dispute settlement through the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Friday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Swiss Federal Councilor and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis while attending the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the IOMed.
Noting that the IOMed is the world’s first intergovernmental international legal organization specialized in dispute resolving, Wang expected its role in jointly practicing multilateralism and safeguarding international fairness and justice.
Stressing that Hong Kong’s social stability and economic development thanks to “one country, two systems”, Wang hoped that Switzerland would deepen exchanges and cooperation with Hong Kong in various fields.
He briefed Cassis about the recent China-U.S. high-level meeting on economic and trade affairs in Geneva, and thanked Switzerland for providing convenience.
Cassis said the IOMed is an important step in resolving differences through mediation, and opens up a new area of cooperation between Switzerland and China.
He expected China to play a greater role in a world full of uncertainties.
Switzerland is willing to uphold a positive attitude towards China and take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries as an opportunity to further promote their relations, Cassis added.
Source: ASEAN
At the joint invitation of the Secretary-General of the OECD, Mathias Cormann, and the President of the Republic of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves Robles, Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn will participate in the 2025 Meeting of the OECD Council at Ministerial Level (MCM), which will take place at the OECD Headquarters in Paris, France, on 3-4 June 2025. Dr. Kao will be delivering remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the OECD MCM, during the handover ceremony from Australia and Viet Nam to Canada and the Philippines, as the incoming Chairs of OECD Southeast Asia Regional Programme (SEARP).
Dr. Kao will also participate in several breakout sessions, highlighting ASEAN-OECD potential collaboration in advancing rules-based multilateral trading system, promoting inclusive and sustainable growth, and harnessing the opportunities of digital transformation. Taking the opportunity of his time in Paris, Dr. Kao will also engage with ministers and high-level officials from ASEAN and ASEAN’s external partners, business communities, as well as media representatives in Paris, on 5-6 June 2025.
The post Secretary-General of ASEAN to participate in the 2025 Meeting of the OECD Council at Ministerial Level (MCM) and Related Meetings in Paris, France appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BISHKEK, May 31 (Xinhua) — A themed event to mark the Duanwu (Dragon Boat Festival) was held at Bishkek State University (BSU) in Kyrgyzstan on Friday.
The event, organized by the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan and the Confucius Institute at BSU, was attended by more than 200 people, including representatives of the Chinese diaspora and enterprises with Chinese capital in Kyrgyzstan, Confucius Institutes, Chinese students studying in Kyrgyzstan, as well as people from other circles of society.
During her speech, Chinese Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Liu Jiangping spoke in detail about the long history and rich content of the Duanwu Festival. The diplomat also highly appreciated the fruitful results of Chinese-Kyrgyz relations, fully recognizing the contribution of the Chinese diaspora to strengthening the friendship between the two peoples, and stressed that the embassy will continue to make every effort to provide the necessary services.
Chairman of the Kyrgyzstan-China Friendship Society Medetbek Bukuev congratulated the friendly Chinese people on the holiday. According to him, Duanwu is not only a traditional holiday of the Chinese people, but also a common holiday for all of humanity. He expressed hope that the friendship between Kyrgyzstan and China will constantly grow stronger in the process of mutual study of civilizations.
The event included a concert featuring Chinese and Kyrgyz dances, music on the Kyrgyz folk musical instrument komuz, Xinjiang songs, etc. At the same time, the Confucius Institute at BSU organized various cultural events, such as making “zongzi” /a traditional dish made from glutinous rice with various fillings, wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves/, tasting Chinese tea, calligraphy, felt embroidery, and dressing up in traditional Chinese costumes. Numerous local residents happily took part in the organized events and gained new impressions.
Bermet Myktybekova, a second-year student at BSU majoring in International Relations, is very interested in the Chinese language and Chinese culture. “Our Chinese teacher invited us to this event,” she said, adding that she learned about Duanwu for the first time, but found the event very interesting and exciting. “I hope to deepen my knowledge of this holiday in the future,” she noted.
Duanwu Festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, it is celebrated on May 31. Three days from May 31 to June 2 are declared holidays in China. –0–
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
SEOUL, May 31 (Xinhua) — A fire broke out on a train on subway line 5 in the South Korean capital Seoul at around 8:47 a.m. local time on Saturday, local media reported.
A man in his 60s and 70s brought a torch and canister onto the subway and allegedly started a fire between Yeunaru and Mapo stations, according to police and witnesses. The suspect has been arrested by police, Renhap News Agency reported.
The train passengers were evacuated, there are no reports of casualties yet. Firefighting operations at the site have been completed.
According to the Seoul Subway Authority, train service was suspended between Yeunaru and Eogae stations due to the incident. –0–
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
JERUSALEM, May 31 (Xinhua) — Israel has decided to block the visit of foreign ministers from several Arab countries to the West Bank on Sunday to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, local state-run Kan TV reported on Friday evening.
The planned visit by the foreign ministers of Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates is a “provocative act” aimed at advancing discussions on the creation of a Palestinian state, Israeli Foreign Ministry officials said.
The country’s Foreign Ministry representatives also noted that the Palestinian Authority continues to refuse to condemn the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
“Israel will not cooperate with activities directed against it and its security,” the statement said. -0-
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The NT Police Force have recovered a body following an extensive search and rescue operation in the Darwin Harbour.
The search and rescue operation commenced last night and continued until early hours of this morning; however, the NT Police Search and Rescue Section, a Careflight helicopter and the Port Authority were unable to locate the male reported missing.
Early this morning, the search operation redeployed assets in an attempt to locate the missing person; consisting of two helicopters, two NT Police vessels, Surf Life Saving, NT Emergency Service volunteers, Crocodile Management and NT Police members on foot along coastlines nearby.
At approximately 11:30am this morning, a body was sighted in the water within the vicinity of the East Arm Wharf. The NT Police vessel Mick Read attended and recovered the body and the male was declared deceased. The body recovered matches the description of the person who jumped off Channel Island Bridge at around 9:40pm last night.
A report is being prepared for the coroner.
The NT Police would like to thank all supporting agencies and members of the public who may have assisted in conducting a search of Darwin Harbour.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
A contestant performs a talent show during the South Africa finals of the 24th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students in Cape Town, South Africa, on May 30, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
The South Africa finals of the 24th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students took place on Friday in Cape Town, the country’s legislative capital, where participants showcased remarkable language abilities and cultural talents.
Hosted by the Chinese Embassy in South Africa and organized by the “Chinese Bridge” Club in Cape Town, the event was co-sponsored by Confucius Institutes across the country. This year’s competition, themed “One World, One Family,” consisted of three segments: a quiz on China-related knowledge, a Chinese language proficiency contest, and a showcase of Chinese cultural talents.
Fifteen university students won rounds of applause and cheers from the audience. Thakane Masia, a second-year student from Rhodes University, emerged as the winner. Masia, whose Chinese name is Ma Kaini, will represent South Africa in the global finals to be held in China.
Masia said the competition was intense and that all contestants performed well. She expressed her pride in winning first place and noted the value of Chinese as one of the official languages of the United Nations.
Masia believed her Chinese language skills will be an asset in her future career. “With my politics degree, I also know Chinese. I can communicate with a lot of different people. It can also help if I have business or political engagement with China in the future,” she said.
In a video message, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng highlighted the role of language cooperation as a key part of people-to-people exchanges.
“As an important component of people-to-people exchanges, language cooperation between China and South Africa empowers mutual understanding between our peoples and contributes to the enduring friendship between our two nations,” he noted.
Wu expressed hope for the contestants to find inspiration in the beauty of the Chinese language, form lasting friendships, and become active ambassadors for China-South Africa friendship and cooperation.
Tang Chang’an, deputy consul general of the Chinese Consulate-General in Cape Town, attended the event, saying that language is not just about grammar or vocabulary — it is about understanding, connection, and respect.
“Through your effort and your interest in language and culture, you are helping build a stronger, more connected world,” he added, encouraging the contestants to continuously bridge diverse cultures through the power of language, friendship, and shared dreams.
Wu Changhong, chairperson of the “Chinese Bridge” Club in Cape Town, described the competition as a celebration of language and culture. She praised the participants for demonstrating excellent language proficiency and a deep appreciation of Chinese culture.
“The event not only enhanced students’ language abilities but also fostered cross-cultural understanding and built bridges between people,” she said.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that he discussed the meetings of Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Türkiye in a phone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The prisoners-of-war exchange was “an important but unfortunately, the only one” achievement of the first meeting in Istanbul, which took place on May 16, Zelensky said in a post on Telegram.
He emphasized that a ceasefire is necessary in order to make further progress toward peace.
The two leaders also discussed the possibility of a next meeting, including the conditions under which Ukraine would be ready to participate.
“We share the view that this meeting cannot and should not be empty,” Zelensky noted.
He added that the conversation also touched on the potential organisation of a four-party meeting involving the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and the United States.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
U.S. President Donald Trump walks to board Marine One at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on May 30, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
U.S. Supreme Court on Friday lifted a federal district court order that kept humanitarian parole protections in place for more than 500,000 migrants from four countries of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
The court has also allowed the Trump administration to revoke temporary legal status for about 350,000 Venezuelan migrants in another case.
The move has cleared the way for the Trump administration to strip temporary legal protections for hundreds of thousands of immigrants for now, and pushed the total number of people who could be exposed to deportation to nearly one million, local media reported Friday.
To address the growing number of migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border, the Biden administration created a parole program for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans in late 2022 and early 2023, authorizing them to work in the United States for two years after going through certain process. The program protected roughly 532,000 people from the risk of deportation.
But soon after beginning his second term, President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to terminate all parole programs. Acting on the executive order, Noem in March announced ending the parole program, with any grants of parole still in effect expiring by April 24.
A federal district court judge in Massachusetts agreed to halt Noem’s blanket revocation of migrants’ temporary legal status when a group of 23 individuals including several parolees and a nonprofit organization challenged Noem’s termination of the program.
The Trump administration first appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit, which declined to pause the district court’s order pending appeal; and then sought the Supreme Court’s intervention.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
A file photo taken on April 21, 2025 shows a view of the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. [Photo/Xinhua]
The Kremlin announced Friday that it expects both Russian and Ukrainian draft peace memorandums to be reviewed during upcoming negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Russian delegation is scheduled to depart for Istanbul and will be ready to begin the next round of talks with Ukraine on Monday morning.
Peskov added that the two sides will discuss conditions for a potential temporary truce, with safe navigation in the Black Sea likely to be a key component of any future agreement.
He also noted that high-level contacts between Russian, U.S., and Ukrainian leaders are possible, depending on the outcome of the talks.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said Wednesday that Ukraine expects to receive Russia’s draft peace memorandum ahead of Monday’s meeting. He said that Ukraine had already delivered its own memorandum to the head of the Russian delegation. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Friday that the Russian delegation will arrive with a draft memorandum and additional ceasefire proposals.
Also on Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan discussed preparations for the new round of Russia-Ukraine talks during a phone call, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Fidan, who visited Russia earlier this week and is in Kyiv on Friday, briefed Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Russia’s position regarding the ongoing peace process, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Russia and Ukraine last held direct talks on May 16 — their first face-to-face negotiations since March 2022. Those talks, also held in Istanbul, concluded without a ceasefire agreement.
Source: New Zealand Police
To be attributed to Detective Senior Sergeant Megan Goldie:
A 19-year-old man has been charged after allegedly indecently exposing himself to a woman on Stottholm Road near Green Bay High School on the afternoon of 27 May.
The man was arrested today, following the execution of a search warrant. He will appear in the Waitakere District Court on 3 June.
Police are continuing to investigate a suspicious approach on Atkinson Road in Titirangi on the morning of 28 May, to determine if it was linked to the Stottholm Road incident.
We would like to hear from anyone who may have information which could assist our enquiries. If you can help, please update us online now or call 105.
Please use the reference number 250528/1736.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
To be attributed to Detective Senior Sergeant Megan Goldie:
A 19-year-old man has been charged after allegedly indecently exposing himself to a woman on Stottholm Road near Green Bay High School on the afternoon of 27 May.
The man was arrested today, following the execution of a search warrant. He will appear in the Waitakere District Court on 3 June.
Police are continuing to investigate a suspicious approach on Atkinson Road in Titirangi on the morning of 28 May, to determine if it was linked to the Stottholm Road incident.
We would like to hear from anyone who may have information which could assist our enquiries. If you can help, please update us online now or call 105.
Please use the reference number 250528/1736.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre.
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
On May 27, Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Changsha organized a cultural and practical event called “Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine on the Eve of Duanwu Festival”. International students dressed in Chinese costumes took photos, cooked “zongzi” – a traditional dish made of glutinous rice with various fillings – goji, red dates and other products with medicinal properties. Students also learned traditional gongfu at the “Eight Pieces of Brocade Training Camp”. Fragrant bags with mugwort leaves, calamus and other medicinal herbs were very popular among them, and herbal tea tasting, a master class on making a herbal photo album and riddles on the topic of medicinal plants allowed international students to immerse themselves in the customs of Duanwu Festival and feel the charm of traditional Chinese medicine.
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
On May 26, Aihui Street Committee of Hailan District, Heihe City, Heilongjiang Province held a themed event called “Joint Making of Zongzi for the Duanwu Festival”. International students from Heihe University and local community members were invited to the event and immersed themselves in the traditions of the Duanwu Festival together. The event set up a series of interactive zones, including incense bag making areas and zongzi making areas. In the incense bag making area, where mugwort, roses, lavender and other herbs were neatly arranged, Russian students and local residents worked together to make handmade incense bags. This event served as a cultural bridge for the exchange and penetration of traditional customs between China and Russia, thus enhancing mutual understanding between Chinese and Russian cultures.
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
MINSK, May 31 /Xinhua/ — A plant for the production of innovative veterinary drugs opened in the China-Belarus Industrial Park “Great Stone” on Friday. The corresponding information was published by the press service of the industrial park administration on the same day.
The investment project was implemented by the park resident OOO “BelAgroGen Scientific and Production Center”. The enterprise specializes in the production of innovative veterinary drugs for the treatment and prevention of diseases of animals and poultry. Many of the drugs are innovative developments of the company and have no analogues on the market of Russia and the CIS countries.
Production in the industrial park has a certificate of compliance with the requirements of the rules of good manufacturing practice of the Eurasian Economic Union. –0–
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
KYIV, May 31 (Xinhua) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that he discussed in a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the meetings of Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul.
According to V. Zelensky, the exchange of prisoners of war was “important, but, unfortunately, the only” achievement of the first meeting, which took place on May 16.
V. Zelensky stressed that a ceasefire is necessary for further progress towards establishing peace.
The parties also discussed the possibility of the next meeting and the conditions under which Ukraine would be ready to take part in it.
In addition, during the conversation, the issue of potentially organizing a four-party meeting with the participation of the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United States was raised. –0–
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08)
PITTSBURGH, PA – Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) will join President Donald Trump, Members of Congress from the Pennsylvania delegation, and local steelworkers at the U.S. Steel Irvin Works Plant in Pittsburgh to celebrate the new and historic partnership between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel.
Of this partnership, Congressman Stauber stated, “The partnership between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel will revive America’s steel industry, and the benefits will be felt right here in Northern Minnesota. This deal will inject $14 billion in new, capital investments, including an estimated $800 million for U.S. Steel’s Iron Range taconite mining operations. This significant investment will create jobs and strengthen our region’s proud iron mining legacy for generations to come. I thank the President for his decisive leadership on the matter, and for making American Steel Great Again.”
BACKGROUND:
Without this partnership, U.S. Steel faced an uncertain future. This iconic American company was in jeopardy of being split up, thousands of jobs would have been lost, and China would have been enabled to attempt its dominance in global steelmaking.
Instead, this historic partnership will save jobs and strengthen American steel production, improving the domestic steel supply chain for vital products such as cars, appliances, ships, pipelines, and more. Northern Minnesota will greatly benefit from the partnership, as the iron ore and taconite mined on the Iron Range is used to make approximately 80% of the country’s domestically produced steel.
Under this partnership, U.S. Steel will remain headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania under American control:
###
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
HONG KONG, May 30 — The International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) serves as an important public good in the field of the rule of law for better global governance, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Friday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivered a speech at the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the IOMed in Hong Kong.
Wang said that as an innovative step in international rule of law, the IOMed has great significance in the history of international relations.
Wang noted that the establishment of the IOMed is an actualization of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and will fill an institutional gap in international mediation.
The birth of the IOMed can help transcend the “you-lose-I-win” zero-sum mentality, promote the amicable resolution of international disputes, and foster more harmonious international relations, Wang said.
The IOMed respects the wishes of parties concerned, and draws upon the strengths of being more flexible, cost-effective, convenient, and efficient, he said, adding that it will complement and form synergies with litigation, arbitration and other existing international dispute settlement mechanisms.
Emphasizing the importance of enhancing the participation of developing countries and improving the representation and say of the Global South in international governance, Wang called on parties to put in place at an early date a set of world-class mediation rules and mechanisms featuring autonomy, flexibility, pragmatism and high efficiency.
As decided through consultation among countries participating in the negotiation of the convention, the IOMed will be headquartered in Hong Kong, Wang said, adding that the city, with affinity to the motherland and connection to the world, enjoys exceptional advantages in international mediation.
China looks forward to the signatories’ early ratification of the convention and welcomes the active participation of more countries, said the foreign minister.
About 400 high-level representatives from 85 countries and nearly 20 international organizations attended Friday’s signing event. Among them, 33 countries signed the convention on-site, making them the founding members of the IOMed.
Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Zimbabwean Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Amon Murwira, Nicaragua’s Attorney General Wendy Carolina Morales Urbina, Serbian Minister of Justice Nenad Vujic, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis and UN Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua delivered speeches at the event.
Acknowledging that the IOMed is in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, they stressed its importance to multilateralism, global governance and global rule of law, and called on more countries to sign and ratify the convention.
They also appreciated China’s role as a major country and expected the IOMed’s contribution to the peaceful settlement of disputes and friendly cooperation among countries.
John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, welcomed the establishment of the world’s first intergovernmental international legal organization dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation in Hong Kong, adding that Hong Kong will give full play to its institutional advantages of “one country, two systems” and fully support the operation of the IOMed.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
HONG KONG, May 30 — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday met with Cameroonian Minister of External Relations Lejeune Mbella Mbella, who was in Hong Kong to attend the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed).
During the meeting, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, expressed appreciation for Cameroon’s active participation in the preparation for the establishment of the IOMed, and his hopes for Cameroon’s early ratification of the convention.
Noting that the two countries lifted bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership last year, Wang said China appreciates the firm support that Cameroon has always given to issues related to China’s core interests, and is willing to strengthen exchanges with Cameroon at all levels and deepen their practical cooperation.
Mbella said China’s advocacy for the establishment of the IOMed demonstrates its commitment and influence, and is in line with the spirit of the UN Charter.
The Cameroonian foreign minister thanked China for their fruitful cooperation in energy, health, infrastructure and other fields, pledged to always abide by the one-China principle, and expressed hopes to maintain close contacts with China and strengthen the cooperation in all fields.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Substantial reduction of tolls and implementation of HKeToll mostly smooth at Tai Lam Tunnel
The Commissioner for Transport, Ms Angela Lee, visited the TLT Administration Building in the small hours today and was briefed by the operator’s management on the switchover works conducted during its full closure. She also oversaw the tests and preparations prior to the introduction of the HKeToll at the control centre. She met with tunnel management and engineering personnel of the operator and thanked the team for racing against time in completing the takeover work thoroughly, efficiently and smoothly.
Ms Lee was glad to note that the TLT reopened at 5am as scheduled with the launch of the HKeToll. She appreciated the tireless efforts of the multidisciplinary team comprising the TD, the Highways Department and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department in completing the necessary drills as well as installing adequate traffic signs and road markings, providing motorists with a smoother road experience as they do not have to stop or queue for payment.
The TD’s Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre (ETCC) has been closely monitoring the traffic conditions before and after the takeover of the TLT, and the traffic in both directions has generally been smooth so far. In addition, the traffic of alternative routes, such as Tuen Mun Road and Tolo Highway, has largely been smooth. The ETCC will closely monitor the overall traffic conditions on June 2, the first working day, including the application of time-varying tolls on private cars and motorcycles at the TLT for the first time.
Under the new tolls, tolls for all vehicle types are lower than previous tolls by 22 to 80 per cent. Among them, tolls for private cars in the peak, normal and off-peak time slots from Monday to Saturday are $45, $30 and $18 respectively, with a fixed toll of $18 throughout the day for Sunday and general holidays. The motorcycle toll for all time slots is set at 40 per cent of the private car toll, i.e. between $7.2 and $18. Taxis and other commercial vehicles (such as goods vehicles and buses) continue to have a fixed toll on all days: $28 for taxis and $43 for other commercial vehicles.
Ms Lee said, “As motorists, transport trades and members of the public may take time to adapt to new routes and adjust their commuting habits, we will closely monitor the traffic flow and public transport services in the vicinity of the TLT. Following the substantial reduction of tolls and the roll-out of the HKeToll, we hope to make optimal use of the TLT’s spare capacity effectively to alleviate the busy traffic on alternative routes, such as Tuen Mun Road, thereby improving the flow of people and freight between the New Territories West/North and the urban areas, as well as achieving the objective of providing a smooth commute and bringing benefits to all sectors.”
Motorists may refer to the TLT’s toll displays or the TD’s HKeMobility mobile application for real-time toll information. Those who have yet to apply for an HKeToll vehicle tag and account should do so as soon as possible.
Issued at HKT 11:00
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Source: New Zealand Police
A man has died after a vehicle he was in left the road and rolled into a paddock at Karamu, Waipa.
Emergency services were called at around 7:40am to the single vehicle crash on Waikoha Road.
The Serious Crash Unit attended, and the circumstances are being investigated.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, Japan — U.S. Air Force Capt. Ethan “Bantam” Smith slams the engine throttle to maximum, creating 29,000 lbs. of thrust that launches the F-16 Fighting Falcon down the runway at over 150 mph before lifting off and immediately banking hard into a figure eight turn. Low pressure air ripping away from the fuselage condenses the late Spring humidity into an iconic pair of white vapor cones engulfing the sides of the jet.
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 31, 2025.
Detroit’s population grew in 2023, 2024 − a strategy to welcome immigrants helps explain the turnaround from decades of population decline
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul N. McDaniel, Associate Professor of Geography, Kennesaw State University The Mexican-American community in southwest Detroit held a rally in March 2025, asking ICE to leave the immigrant community alone. Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Detroit’s population grew in 2024 for the second year in
Hurricane season is here, but FEMA’s policy change could leave low-income areas less protected
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ivis García, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University Hurricane Harvey inundated the Cottage Grove neighborhood of Houston in 2018. Scott Olson/Getty Images When powerful storms hit your city, which neighborhoods are most likely to flood? In many cities, they’re typically low-income areas.
Shock NSW Senate result as One Nation beats Labor to win final seat
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The button was pressed to electronically distribute preferences for the New South Wales Senate today. All analysts expected Labor to win the final seat, for a three
GPs will be a great help for managing ADHD medications. But many patients will still need specialists
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Guastella, Professor and Clinical Psychologist, Michael Crouch Chair in Child and Youth Mental Health, University of Sydney The New South Wales government this week announced reforms that will allow some GPs to treat and potentially diagnose attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This aims to make ADHD care
Will elections for judges make Mexico the ‘most democratic country in the world’? Critics fear the opposite
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luis Gómez Romero, Senior Lecturer in Human Rights, Constitutional Law and Legal Theory, University of Wollongong On Sunday, Mexico will hold an unprecedented election, becoming the first country in the world to allow voters to elect judges at every level. Voters will elect approximately half the judges
What is mantle cell lymphoma? Magda Szubanski’s ‘rare and fast-moving’ cancer, explained
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John (Eddie) La Marca, Senior Research Officer, Blood Cells and Blood Cancer, WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Beloved Australian actor, Magda Szubanski, has revealed she’s been diagnosed with a “very rare, very aggressive, very serious” blood cancer called mantle cell
Keith Rankin Analysis – Who, neither politician nor monarch, executed 100,000 civilians in a single night?
Analysis by Keith Rankin. Who, neither politician nor monarch, executed 100,000 civilians in a single night? Answer: Curtis LeMay, American Air Force General, in the wee hours of 10 March 1945. While authorised by his immediate superior, this firebombing of Tokyo was a decentralised military operation which received subsequent popular approval. It was called ‘Operation
ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for May 30, 2025
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 30, 2025.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, spoke at the Air Force Association Chapter Meeting in Meridian, Mississippi. He highlighted the history of refueling airplanes in Meridian, a particularly relevant topic amid the U.S. Air Force’s ongoing KC-46 basing decision process. Chairman Wicker also discussed his plan to rebuild the American military, which he had published a year to the day earlier in his landmark report, 21st Century Peace Through Strength. Below are excerpts from his speech, lightly edited for clarity.
Click Here for Full Remarks.
On Being Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Implementing Peace Through Strength:
“I’m the first Chairman of the Armed Services Committee from Mississippi since John C. Stennis was Chairman of Armed Services. It is a dream for me to be able to do that, and particularly at a time like this. We need to be ready to defend ourselves against the axis of aggressors – China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran – that I talk about in my paper, 21st Century Peace Through Strength. Three of those powers have nuclear weapons. One of them is days, perhaps weeks, away from having a nuclear weapon. I absolutely stand with President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu that our policy should firmly be: Iran never gets a nuclear weapon. Iran hates the United States. They hate the West, they hate democracies, and their aim is to destroy us. They don’t get a nuclear weapon. We can stop it, or we can do as other administrations did and take them at their word that they’re only trying to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes. Do you know how much oil is in the Middle East, and how little they need nuclear power in the Middle East, in Iran, to power themselves? There is no reason in the world for them to want enriched uranium other than to create a nuclear bomb. It would mean the destruction, almost certainly, of our ally Israel.”
On the KC-46 Basing Decision and Meridian’s History of Refueling:
”Let’s talk about some of the things that we’re doing for KC-46 here at the 186. Six point seven million dollars in the last National Defense Authorization Act to accelerate the planning and design of a corrosion control hangar. One million dollars to update the fuel hydrant system, $5.6 million to support planning and design of a maintenance hangar, $1.9 million to support the planning and design of a base supply warehouse at Key Field. There’s more to come, and there’s more we’re doing. I, along with Senator Hyde-Smith and Congressmen Michael Guest and Trent Kelly are going to do the best we can to bring the KC-46 to Meridian. 1971, I was in ROTC, and I’m at field training at Grissom Air Force Base. In 1972, we had dinner with Al Key, mayor of Meridian. His brother Fred had set the record – 27 days in air flight without ever landing. Let me tell you, folks, we invented air refueling in Meridian, Mississippi, and I think that ought to give us a leg up for the KC-46. One man was flying the plane for 27 straight days, and when his brother would come up in another biplane to refuel with a hose, the pilot would get out on the wing of that plane, leaving the cockpit, and they would refuel that plane. They did that for 27 days.”
On the One Big Beautiful Bill and the Golden Dome:
“There is one piece of legislation that just passed the House and is now being considered in the Senate called the One Big Beautiful Bill, which includes funding for the Golden Dome. I was talking to Donald J. Trump in the Oval Office, and I was advocating for Iron Dome for America. We think the technology is there to do it for the entire continent. He said, “I think we ought to call it the Golden Dome.” It’s going to be expensive, but I think we have to do this, and we’ve got the technology to do that. North Korea can get a missile to the continental United States right now. China can get a missile to the United States right now, and Russia can. We need that protection. What we had to worry about 15 years ago does not compare to what we have now. A cyberattack is a part of national defense now. It is the next quantum leap of what we’re worried about, and that’s why I’m going to vote for this One Big Beautiful Bill. It’s got $150 billion for defense. The President of the United States is behind the Armed Services Committee of the Senate and the House on putting at least $150 billion in this. It will just get us started. But we are behind. We need to be at 5 percent of our national economy. We are in a position now, with the help of this One Big Beautiful Bill, of getting us back to 5 percent of our economy and having the ability to prevent war. There has never been a war started against a country because that country was too strong. Wars start because the victim country is not strong enough. We are determined to get us back to the point where we are so strong that we never have to send these people into combat. That’s the way to stay out of war, and the opposite is the way we’ve always gotten into war.”
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy
May 30, 2025
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on Friday objected to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) transfer notification that would move $312.5 million from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Murphy criticized the Department for purposefully spending beyond its means and highlighted the national security implications of transferring funding from CISA.
Murphy noted that the Department’s transfer authority is supposed to be used sparingly and in unforeseen circumstances, not as a way to spend money they don’t have: “I remind the Department that Congress provided transfer and reprogramming authorities in acknowledgment of unforeseeable and compelling circumstances that may arise after Congress has provided funds for the current fiscal year. The Department should not abuse this authority for avoidable reasons as is the case with this proposed notification. Since the start of this Administration, the Department has knowingly and willfully spent above its means, putting ICE on a path to becoming anti-deficient or simply, spending more funding than you are authorized to spend.”
Murphy demanded more information about the impact of transferring funding from CISA, given the role it plays in keeping the nation safe from cybersecurity threats: “Further, the Department has failed to provide my staff sufficient details on the impacts of transferring nearly $144,000,000 away from CISA operations and procurements… To that end, I reiterate my staff’s request for information on the impacts of these reductions to CISA’s capacity to mitigate threats to our national security through its cyber defense and critical infrastructure protection activities, including the impacts of proposed transfers of election security funding.”
Murphy rebuked Secretary Noem at a hearing on the Administration’s skinny budget request for her department’s ‘out of control’ spending, illegal impoundments of Congressional appropriated funds, and for targeting and deporting legal immigrants and student protesters without due process.
Full text of the letter is available HERE and below.
Dear Madam Secretary:
This letter is in response to the April 30, 2025, notification submitted to the Committee by Mr. Jeffrey Bobich, the Director of Financial Management of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to transfer a total of $312,500,000 from the fiscal year 2025 funding levels for U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—Operations and Support—Custody Operations.
I do not support the proposed transfers. Additionally, I remind the Department that Congress provided transfer and reprogramming authorities in acknowledgment of unforeseeable and compelling circumstances that may arise after Congress has provided funds for the current fiscal year. The Department should not abuse this authority for avoidable reasons as is the case with this proposed notification. Since the start of this Administration, the Department has knowingly and willfully spent above its means, putting ICE on a path to becoming anti-deficient or simply, spending more funding than you are authorized to spend. The Administration and this Department have continued to ignore funding limits set by Congress, overspending at levels that it cannot sustain and turning to other Departments, such as the Department of Defense to augment its funding.
Further, the Department has failed to provide my staff sufficient details on the impacts of transferring nearly $144,000,000 away from CISA operations and procurements. Transfer and reprogramming notices should be accompanied by adequate justifications and the Department should seek to provide rapid and sufficient responses to questions. To that end, I reiterate my staff’s request for information on the impacts of these reductions to CISA’s capacity to mitigate threats to our national security through its cyber defense and critical infrastructure protection activities, including the impacts of proposed transfers of election security funding.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, poses for a group photo with other guests at the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) in Hong Kong, south China, May 30, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
The establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) aligns with the peace concept cherished by both China and Benin, and will provide new pathways for international dispute resolution mechanisms, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Hong Kong on Friday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Beninese Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari who participated the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the IOMed in Hong Kong, south China.
Wang noted that the establishment of the IOMed addresses the common concerns of countries seeking peace, promoting stability, and pursuing development. It aligns with the prevailing trend of win-win cooperation and promotes the development of global governance towards a more just and equitable direction.
When discussing China-Benin relations, Wang said Benin is a strategic partner of China in Africa, adding that the important consensus reached by the leaders of both countries and the initiatives of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation are being steadily implemented.
China is willing to work with Benin to effectively implement the 10 partnership actions for modernization, accelerate the process of common development, and promote the continuous growth of the China-Benin strategic partnership, Wang added.
For his part, Bakari said that being one of the first signatory countries of the convention, Benin shares with China the concept of upholding multilateralism, and advocating for dialogue and consultation to resolve conflicts and disputes. Benin will expedite the approval of the convention, aiming for the IOMed to operate as soon as possible, bringing greater stability to the world, which is very important for the African continent.
Benin will always stand with China and is willing to promote the continuous advancement of Benin-China relations, the foreign minister said.